Camden bowling club’s men’s pennant side reached the semi-finals of the 2022 state playoffs in Dubbo – a feat not achieved for more than 30 years.
But first the Camden club had to negotiate qualifying competitions.
The team’s journey started on the weekend of October 22-23 when teams from the Zone 5 lawn bowls region met to compete in the finals of the local pennant competition across four divisions.
After six weeks of competition against clubs at Springwood, Glenbrook and Lawson, the Camden men’s second division 3 side finished on top of the ladder.
This meant they had earned a spot in the finals to be played on Campbelltown City’s fast greens.
Defeating Wisemans Ferry in the morning with a score of 9 points to 1, the Camden side had to play the home team in the afternoon for the pennant flag. Summoning all their experience and with a large crowd of supporters in full voice, the Camden side won the match 10-0.
This victory earned them a trip to Dubbo to play in the state pennant finals alongside other zone winners across the state.
Dubbo Bowling Club was the venue for the finals, where Camden was scheduled to play against Grenfell, Gwandalan and Tea Gardens.
After two days of play the Camden side was second in their section, having only lost to Grenfell.
This earned them a spot in the quarter final where they had to play Gresford, a tough side that had not lost a game.
However they were no match for the confident Camden side, who romped home two rinks to one.
It was the first in more than 30 years that Camden had won their way into the semi-finals of the state pennant playoffs.
But there was no fairy tale – Camden lost to a powerful Taren Point side in the sudden death semi final clash.
